View full sizeDon Treeger / Michael Beswick2011 Easthampton mayoral candidates. Michael A. Tautznik, left, is the seven-term incumbent and Donald Emerson, right, is a 41-year veteran of the police force who retired as captain in 2010.

EASTHAMPTON – It’s official: voters will decide the outcomes of two races in the Nov. 8 election and the candidates have set up plenty of opportunities to meet with the public.

On Tuesday, candidates were certified for the ballot after returning nomination packets with at least 100 residents’ signatures. Mayor Michael A. Tautznik will square off against former police captain Donald C. Emerson and five candidates are running in the ever-evolving City Councilor At-Large race.

Tautznik and Emerson are scheduled to participate in a debate Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Williston Northampton School chapel. They will field questions from the local media, including The Republican, and residents.

Tautznik has scheduled four “Meet the Mayor” events. On Oct. 4 and 18, he will be at East Village Cafe at 39 Union St. from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. He will appear at White Square Books, 86 Cottage St., on Oct. 13 and 27, also from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Emerson is expected to detail his goals and ideas for the city’s future on Friday, Sept. 23, at the Pulaski Club, 79 Maple St., from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

All precinct councilors are running unopposed for re-election and there are no contests for the six-member school committee.

Former selectman Donald J. Polonis dropped out before the filing deadline, sending an email to City Clerk Barbara L. LaBombard endorsing Emerson, Ogulewicz and Cykowski. Polonis has refused to speak to The Republican at any time and was the only candidate to decline an invitation to a public forum sponsored by the New City Neighborhood Association next month.

The group is holding “Meet the Candidate” events every Thursday in October from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Apollo Grill in the Eastworks building at 116 Pleasant St. Tautznik is scheduled for Oct. 6, Cykowski and McCoy will share Oct. 13, Burns is set for Oct. 20 and Emerson will appear Oct. 27.

McCoy is hosting the House Party for a Progressive Future, sponsored by Mass Alliance, at his home this Saturday, Sept. 24, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event is described as a chance to “review plans for the upcoming year and honor the incredible work that has been done in the year past.”

To attend, contact Jordan Berg Powers, (617) 722-4320.

The mayor’s salary is $67,340. Emerson receives an annual pension of $63,213 from his 40-plus years of work on the police force. He said he would donate a portion of his income, but had not released details as of Tuesday.

City Councilors are paid $3,000 each year.

Five incumbent School Committee members are set to retain their seats: Chairman Peter Gunn, LaDonna Crow, Nancy Sykes, Lori Ingraham and Bonnie Katusich. Deborah Lusnia, a member of the Easthampton High School Building Committee, will assume the seat vacated by Eric Yates.